All Purpose Law Blog

A new Ammendment to the Company Law in the DR

2011-03-04T12:39:00.000-05:00

Current Company Law No.479-08, have been modified by Law No.31-11 of February 10th, 2011. Some of the company types have been modified, as well as new types have been created. We´ll prepare an in depth look into this new law and will share with our readers the most important aspects.

Come back soon as I´ll be posting my thoughts on the new law.

Societies of Limited Responsibilities and Individual Enterprises of Limited Responsibilities

2010-08-19T16:23:00.000-05:00

Societies of Limited Responsibilities

The societies of Limited Responsibilities are those formed by two or more persons by contributions of all partners, who don’t respond personally of the social debts. It is our personal believe that this will be the most commonly used form of company.

Particular Characteristics

Number of partners: minimum two (2) and maximum of fifty (50)
Social denomination: a fantasy name can be used or a trade name that will have to be preceded or followed by the words “Society of Limited Responsibilities” or the initials “SRL”. If this indication is omitted the partners will be jointly responsible in front of third parties.
Capital: the social capital will be divided in social contributions/shares that can’t be represented by negotiable titles. They shall be constituted with a minimum of One Hundred Thousand Dominican Pesos (RD$100,000.00). The Secretariat of State of Industry and Commerce will adjust by regulations every three (3) years, the minimum and maximum amounts of social capital, as well as the minimum of contributions/shares, in accordance with the consumer price index published by the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic as reference index.
Assignment and Transmission of Social: the cession of social shares among partners, between ascendants and descendants, and their transmission by succession or common wealth liquidation between husband and wife, will be free, unless statutory stipulations to the contrary. The cession of social shares to third parties outside the society will require the consent of the majority of the partners that represent by at least three quarters (3/4) parts of the social shares. If the cession is not approved, the partners will have to proportionally acquire them, in accordance with the procedures established by Law.
Accounts Commissioner: its not obligatory, however, can be designated if at the closing of the last social exercise, the society, reports a total balance equal or superior to 5 times its social capital or an amount of profit equal or higher to 2/3 parts of the social capital, before the tax deductions. Also the partners that represent 1/10 of the social capital will always be able to demand in referral the designation of an account commissioner.
Administration of the Society: the SRL will be managed by one or more managers that will have to be Physical persons, partners or not. In front of third parties, the manager(s) will be invested with the amplest powers to act, in all the circumstances, in the name of the society, subject to the powers that the law attributes specifically to the partners. The society will be compromised by the acts and doings of the manager or managers even if this are not related to the social object, unless that is proven that the third party had knowledge that the acts or doings were foreign to the social object or that he could not ignore it under the circumstances.
Assemblies Partners: the decisions will be taken in assembly. Nevertheless, the statutes will be able to stipulate that all decisions or some of them be adopted by written consultation or by consent of all the partners contained in a minute with or without the necessity of an actual meeting.
Also the vote of the partners will be able to be pronounced through any electronic or digital means. Unless in occasion of the approval of the report of annual management (Article 110), and in case the celebration of the assembly is required by one or several partners who are titular at least of half (½) of the social contributions/shares or that constitute the quarter (¼) of the partners and simultaneously are proprietors of the quarter (¼) of the social quotas/contributions (article 112).

Individual Enterprises of Limited Responsibilities

The Individual Enterprises of Limited Responsibilities is owned by a physical person and is an entity that has its own legal personality, with capacity to be bearer of rights and obligations, which form an independent patrimony and separated of those other wealth/property of the physical person titular of said enterprise.

Particular Characteristics

· Number of partners: one (1). Can only be constituted by physical persons.

· Social Denomination: the name of the enterprise will have to be preceded or followed by the words “Individual Enterprise of Limited Responsibilities” or the initials “EIRL”. It should not have the name, last name or part of them, nickname or any other appellative of one physical person, which in no way will be used as distinguishing mark of the enterprise.

· Capital will be determined by statutes.

· Accounts Commissioner: does not exist

· Administration of the Enterprise: the owner will be able to designate a manager or assume the functions of one. From the start of the operations, the enterprise should open and maintain an accounting in accordance with the legal and regulatory dispositions applied to merchants.

For the commercial societies existing before the coming in effect of the new law, this demands that they are “adjusted” or “transformed”, depending on the interests of each society, to adjust to the new dispositions of the Law 479-08.

With these 2 business types, we have covered the main aspects of the new business law in the Dominican Republic. Please feel free to comment or post your questions and we´ll do our best to address it.

If you have any particular topic or question regarding the laws of the dominican republic, let me know.

Simple Limited Companies and Limited Stock Partnerships

2010-07-22T09:57:00.000-05:00

Simple Limited Company

The Simple Limited Companies are those that exist under a trade name and are composed of one or several joint partners that respond in a subsidiary, limitless and shared manner for the social obligations, and one or several joint partners that only are obligated up to the payment of their contributions.

Particular Characteristics

Number of partners: Minimum of two (2)

Trade name: will be made of the names of one or more joint partners, followed by the words “and Company” or equivalents, if in it does not mention the name of all the joint partners. The words “Limited Partnership” or the abbreviation “S. in C.”

Capital: will be established in the Social Contract. The contributions of the joint partners will always be in nature or in cash.

Cession of social parts: the social parts can only be yielded with the approval of all the partners, unless admitted stipulations in the social statutes.

Accounts commissioner: its designation it not obligatory. The faculties of internal inspection and supervision of the society will be executed by the joint partners.

Administration: the appointment of the manager will be by majority of all the partners, unless there is a clause to the contrary in the social statutes. The joint partners can’t be managers, representatives or occasional leaders of the company.

Limited Stocks Partnership Societies

The Limited Stocks Partnership Societies are those composed by one or several joint partners that will have the quality of retailers/merchants and will respond indefinitely and jointly of the social debts, and the limited partners, that will have the quality of shareholders and will only bear the losses in proportion to their contributions. The social capital will be divided in shares. The number of the joint partners can’t be inferior to three (3).

Particular Characteristics

Number of silent Partners: minimum, three (3) - general partners: minimum, one (1).

Trade Name: composed by the name of one or several partners followed by the words “and company” or its abbreviation if in it were not displayed the names of the general partners.

Capital: will be divided in shares. Will be established in the social statutes.

Accounts Commissioner: the designation of one or several accounts commissioners is obligatory. In addition, a supervision counsel will be named composed by at least three (3) limited partners in accordance with the statutes, for permanent control of the management of the society.

In next week´s entry, we´ll wrap up the last 2 company types established by our new Company Law. As always, feel free to send us your comments or questions....

Collecttive Name Societies and the New Company Law

2010-07-13T13:58:00.000-05:00

Collective Name Societies

The Collective Name Society is that which exists under a trade name and in which all the partners have the quality of retailers and respond, in a subsidiary, limitless and shared way, for the social obligations.

Particular Characteristics

Number of shareholders: Minimum of two (2)

Trade name: has to be made of the name of one or more partners followed by the words “and Company” or its abbreviation, if in it did not mention the name of all the partners.

Capital: will be established in the Social Statutes

Cession of social parts: unanimous approval of the partners is required

Accounts commissioner: its designation it not obligatory

Administration: all partners will be managers, unless otherwise stipulated in the statutes, that can designate one or several managers, partners or not, or stipulate the designation by latter act.

In our next blog we´ll examine another business type under the Dominican Republic company law, until then, feel free to post your comments or questions and we´ll address them.

Joint-Stock Societies and the New Company Law

2010-06-23T11:25:00.000-05:00

Joint-Stock Societies.

The article 154 of the law defines the Joint-Stock Society as the one existing between two or more people under a social denomination and is composed exclusively of partners whose responsibilities for the losses are limited by their contributions. Its capital will be represented by essentially negotiable titles denominated Stocks, which will have to be completely subscribed and paid before the issuance.

In accordance with the Law, the Joint-Stock Societies could be:

- of Public Subscription: the ones that resort to the public savings for the formation and increase of the authorized social capital, or quote their stocks in the stock market, or contract loans by the public emission of negotiable obligations, or use mass media or advertising to position and negotiate any type of instrument in the stock market; or

- Private Subscription: those Joint-Stock Societies not included in the enunciations of the article 156.

Particular Characteristics

Number of shareholders: Minimum of two (2)

Social Denomination: will be formed freely by a fantasy name, necessarily followed by the words “Joint-Stock Company” or its Abbreviation “S. A.” (for spanish "sociedad anonima")

Minimum Capital: of Thirty Million Dominican Pesos (RD$30,000.00), of which a minimum of ten percent (10%) will have to be subscribed and paid. The minimum amount could be fit by the Industrial and Commercial State Secretariat each three (3) years in accordance with the consumer’s price index published by the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic.

Increases in Capital. In the increases of capital the shareholders Hill have the right of proportional preferential subscription to the quantity of their stocks in the capital subscribed and paid. This right of preferential subscription could be renounce to or transferable.

Accounts Commissioner. Each Joint-Stock Company will be supervised by one or several accounts commissioners designated by general assembly of shareholders; they will be physical people. They should have the quality of certified public accountant with at least three (3) years of experience in Company Audits, and could be or not be shareholders. The accounts commissioners will have a permanent mission, with exclusion of all management interference, verify the values and accounting documents of the society and control the conformity with the accounting rules in effect. Will also verify the sincerity and concordance with the annual accounts of the Administration Counsel Report and the documents delivered to the shareholders about the financial situation and said annual accounts.

The accounts commissioners are subject to a strict regime of incapacitation provided in the articles 211 and 243 to the 245, both inclusive.

Administration of the Society. The joint-stock company will be administrated by an administration counsel made of at least three (3) members. The physical persons that execute at the same time more than five (5) administrative mandates of any kind of commercial society cannot be administrators to a joint-stock company.

The Administrative Counsel will chose amongst its members a president, who will be a physical person, under penalty of nullity of the designation.

When a moral person is designated as administrator it will by obliged to name a permanent representative, who will be subject to the same conditions and obligations and will bear the same civil and penal responsibilities that would have if he was administrators in his own behalf, notwithstanding the share responsibility of the moral person he represents.

The articles 28, 29, 227 and 228 of the Law establish a regime of fiduciary obligations of the social management.

The shareholders Assemblies: in the Joint-Stock Companies of Private Subscription, the resolutions of the assemblies can be adopted in minutes subscribed by all shareholders without the need of an actual meeting. Also the vote can be manifested by means of any electronic or digital resource. Both circumstances will have to be expressly indicated in the minutes issued to the effect.

Of Public Subscription.

Article 515 of the law establishes that those joint-stock companies constituted before the promulgation of the same and that have made public biddings of assets, primary or secondary, or negotiated financial instruments through the Assets Stock-Market of the Dominican Republic, will have to make the adaptation of the accounting and operation of the company in accordance to the requisites established by said law.

Of Private Subscription.

Private Subscription is those Joint-Stock Societies not included in the enunciations of the provided in the article 157 of the law.

Until next week, when will examine another company type. Please feel free to send us your comments and questions.

New Business Law in the Dominican Republic

2010-06-16T08:16:00.001-05:00

The new Commercial Societies and Individual Enterprises of Limited Responsibilities General Law (Law No. 479-08), substitutes and derogates the Third Title in the Commercial Code that is in effect, that includes the articles 18 to the 64 regarding the Commercial Societies.

This new Law recognizes and maintains in effect the different types of societies known from the Commercial Code. Nevertheless, institutes two new classes of societies: the Societies of Limited Responsibilities (SRL by the initials in Spanish) and the Individual Enterprises of Limited Responsibilities (EIRL by the initials in Spanish).

This way the law recognizes and regulates the following types of societies:

- Joint-Stock Societies of Public and Private Subscription

- Collective Name Societies

- Simple Silent Partnership Societies

- Stocks Partnership Societies

- Societies of Limited Responsibilities

- Individual Enterprises of Limited Responsibilities

Additionally, it recognizes the Accidental or in participation Societies. The Law establishes that this society lacks legal personality, and that it will not be subject to any type of requisite of form nor matriculation and that its existence will be proven by any means.

The law also regulates, the aspects related to the conformation and operation of the different management organs of all the societies regulated on the basis of the minimum norms of good corporative government; the constitution and deliberation of the deliberating organs and the control and supervision mechanisms of the social management.

Also, attenuates the regime of invalidities of the Commercial Societies, adapting it to the modern regulatory tendencies.

In addition, the law of societies regulates the process of fusion; division of societies; increases and reduction of capital; dissolution and liquidation, amongst other new features. This is very important, since our previous legislation, suffered from great voids in these aspects.

In upcoming post I´ll be analyzing each corporate type, it´s procedures and main issues, so keep checking us and feel free to post your comments and questions.

2010-03-17T11:39:00.002-05:00

IP Monitoring Services: protect your IP rights.

Your IP rights must have cost you valuable human, financial and time resources to be developed. This right belongs to you.

In principle, it is your responsibility to protect the integrity of your IP rights. Conflicting IP rights are filed constantly to competition and other third parties, without you noticing it at the right time to take action. Even though the filing is made public for third parties objections, not always the owner of a registered right take notices of the publicity.

Our IP Monitoring Services offers you a permanent review of all third parties filing to identify those that could conflict with yours.

In case of a conflict we´ll notify you of the filing in the proper time for you to take the corresponding action.

Ownership Monitoring Services: Be informed of what your competition is registering.

Our services could be used to monitor the filing by owner. We offer you a monitoring of the registries and filing made on behalf of your competition or identified companies.

Our packages:

Type of Service

Period

Price (US$)

Names, Denominative trademarks, commercial slogans

Monthly

US$35.00 each (1 to 5 elements)

US$25.00 each (5+ elements)

Annual

US$360.00 each (1 to 5 elements) Save US$60.00

US$240.00 each (5+ elements) Save US$60.00

Patents, Logos, Designs, Figuratives Multidimensionales and Combined Trademarks

Monthly

US$45.00 each (1 to 5 elements)

US$35.00 ceach (5+ elements)

Annual

US$490.00 each (1 to 5 elements) Save US$50.00

US$370.00 each (5+ elements) Save US$50.00

Ownership Monitoring

Monthly

US$35.00 each (1 to 5 elements)

US$25.00 each (5+ elements)

Annual

US$360.00 each (1 to 5 elements) Save US$60.00

US$240.00 each (5+ elements) Save US$60.00

For more information contact us:

Santiago Mejia

s.mejia@maa-law.com

Lawyers and the Economy Crisis

2008-12-03T16:41:00.002-05:00

The worldwide economy crisis is now a reality. All countries are suffering the effects, one more than others and no sector or industry is not shielded against it.

In my particular field of expertise, lawyers and law firms are taking different actions in respect with this particular issue. Without doing a deep analysis on those actions, here are some of them for you to comment on.

1. Some lawyers and law firms are either freezing it´s fees or are suspending the annual fee increases plans; at least for some good loyal clients, that is.

2. There are some law firms that are limiting partner promotions or at least increasing the eligibility requirements.

3. Others instead are looking for alternatives in producing a constant level of income. This could be done by entering in "Monthly Fixed Services", in which clients pay a fixed monthly fee and receive certain legal services (instead of getting billed "by the hour"".

The key issue is knowing what services to include and what not to.

4. And finally, there are some fewer firms taking advantage of this crisis and are recluting lawyers from other struggling law firms for a lesser value than before.

What are you or your firm doing to confront the crisis?.

What type of lawyer are you?

2008-06-11T16:29:00.003-05:00

In this occasion, rather than present you with any articles or news from the legal environment in the Dominican Republic, I´ll take this opportunity to learn your thoughts on these simple but tricky questions..... trying to relax a little!

1. Have you ever had to enforce a clause in a contract you have had to object before?. I was in such a situation, when I represented one client wishing to enforce a similar clause that I tried to object in a previous matter (different clients) from the other side of the desk.

2. How do you know when it´s time to step up and leave a negotiation room? Are you like the ones that ask high to settle low or you just give the only option up front? Have you ever left a negotiation to reposition your client?

3. When drafting a contract, should you include what you expect the other party to have included or you just leave it to them to ask for it?. Sadly in my country there is plenty of the latter, although personally I try to be ethical about and include what I want plus what I can give.... it doesn't always work though.

Any thoughts? have any stories to tell....Please share them with us.

Lawyers are not exempt to change

2008-02-21T16:43:00.003-05:00

"Change is the only constant", we were told since the begining of our education.

Lawyers are not the exception of the ever changing business environment and that´s why our clients needs and requests usually are as different and evolving as the markets.

Lawyers are supposed to be able to evolve with their clients, of course without safeguarding expertise and risking the integrity of the representation by going in unknown waters just to get the account.

It´s a matter of being able to rightly help your client without failing at your personal commitment with excellence, integrity and professionalism.

It´s a matter of using the general knowledge you have in a certain matter and valuing it as sufficient or not to undertake a more deep look into it.

And also, it´s a matter of being humble enough to recognize your own limitations and to get another hand.

Would like to know your opinions.

Lawyers, Clients, Techonology and how to keep the perspective

2007-06-26T09:06:00.000-05:00

In this information era where the internet and the ever changing technologies opens a door to a more interactive, effective and dynamic business world, legal practices are not the exception, but be aware it is a resource not the source.

Internet, document sharing, virtual conferences, and all the other tools, have given law practices a new dimension on clients service. The ability to share documents drafts, information, court decisions, articles and a lot more is making the job of the lawyers less time consuming and a lot speedier. As for the clients, specially the international corporations with branches or interests in different countries and regions, it gives them the chance to unify the legal services rendered to them, under the same "practice standards" in the various jurisdictions.

Nevertheless, there are some things we lawyers must keep in mind, to avoid becoming a burden to our clients. There are a few of them:

1. Technology is a resource not a substitute for the intellectual job of the lawyers. No matter how much technology you have available, it's your personal capacity that would take you above the rest.
2. A direct personal approach with the clients is always the best way to get, keep and multiply your clients.
3. Documents drafts, articles and other "downloads" are merely a reference point instead of the solution to your clients needs. We've been told ever since law school that two cases are never exactly the same, each case or issue is of its own and must be approached as an entity itself.
4. Don't rely only on technology to fulfill your duties. Law Libraries (on site, public, etc.) are the best place to get back in touch with "your real lawyer inside".
5. Time is of the essence when it comes to your clients needs and unnecessary phone calls are to be avoided, but nevertheless, a periodic voice to voice conversation will have a bigger impact than a daily email. The confidence your client would get by hearing your words are not the same as when reading them.

Do not by any means become technology dependent. Don't loose the ability to draft a contract or any other documents for that matter. Don't hesitate to sit down in a library table instead of making a quick search on the internet.

The quality of the service the client gets will make you or brake you, but your quality as a lawyer will too. No matter what some people thinks, clients don't hire law firms...they hire lawyers: they need to put a face on the name, a name for the "speed dial" and most of all, someone to relate with.

At the end, technology is good for all businesses, including law firms and lawyers, but as I said it's just a resource and not the source.

Are Dot Coms are sellers since Day 1?

2007-04-25T14:57:00.000-05:00

The constant buy-ins of "dot coms" and other internet related companies by the biggest players could impact the mentality of the future companies to come and would demand a better drafting of some legal documents.

By the constant practice of the biggest internet companies (Google, Yahoo, etc..) to acquire smaller companies, one can only wonder if it will become a philosophy of some business mens or entrepreneurs to develop a "dot com" and/or internet related companies, with the sole purpose of selling it after certain point. I'm sure there will be cases where the creators of some of these business will take it as a personal project and won't sell, but that cannot be said of most of the actual businesses.Looking at this trend as a practicing lawyer, this is having a clear impact on drafting of business agreements between shareholders and partners. We (lawyers) need to make sure that our clients interests are properly protected "if" the company should come to a "sell or not" situation. This should include not only the Bylaws but also a shareholders agreement is recommended. Special Majorities, quorums, preemptive rights and other issues must be clearly addressed.

(This analisis was published by me on 4/16/07, in the GLG News Forum in respect with Google's acquisition of DoubleClick)

What the Clients expect from a Outside Counsel

2006-12-04T16:35:00.000-05:00

I wish to share some ideas of what a client expect from an outside counsel. Please make an exam of yourself in each of these points and make a commitment to improve the needed areas. It will help us be better lawyers. What a clients expect in a Lawyer:

1. Technical competence

2. Local knowledge

3. Able to really listen to the client and asking the right questions

4. Respect the clients time. Don’t make unnecessary calls if you’re following it with an email or letter with same content.

5. Clearly state on the mail or letter if an action o decision is needed from your client

6. When sending emails, use explicit “subject” lines. Avoid using just “Contract” or “Pending Litigation”. Probably your client has more than your “Contract” or “Pending Litigation”.
7. When making an analysis:
- report the case
- make an assessment
- indicate the options
- make a recommendation
- be sure to indicate when a decision is to be made

8. Always return your clients mails and messages

9. Respond promptly and honestly about the merits of the case. Clearly state the probabilities of winning, cost involved and what is to be expected in 30, 60 and 90 days.

10. Use plain language when making a report for a client. Keep the complex legal language for the courts.

These notes where part of a presentation during the International Lawyer Network 2007 Regional Meeting that took place last month on the Bahamas.

Welcome

2006-11-24T16:33:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my blog. I plan for this blog to serve as an all purpose law related blog. So I'll be posting legal news, comments and notes. Please feel free to comment and send me your opinions and your own news and notes.